Purpose: VCWS 7 assesses the ability to make rapid sorting decisions involving several levels of visual discrimination of color, numbers, letters, and combinations of these. The work sample simulates light work and involves repetitive finger grasping and reaching. The following physical demands are made upon the evaluee: reaching, fingering, near acuity, depth perception, accommodation, color vision, and field of vision. Significant form perception, motor coordination, finger dexterity, manual dexterity, and color discrimination are required to perform the work sample at a competitive level.

The work sample is particularly suited to various work-hardening purposes.

Design: Hands-on work sample hardware is manipulated by the evaluee in one practice section and one timed exercise.

Special Features: Scores may be interpreted against criterion-referenced standards, supplied norms, or locally developed norms. It is appropriate for use with disabled or nondisabled persons.

Information Collected: The work sample has been analyzed according to U.S. Department of Labor job analysis techniques. The result of the analysis is a list of rated DOL work-related abilities and other factors that are required for successful work sample performance. Valpar uses Methods-Time Measurement (MTM) to establish industrial work rate standards for the work sample. Successful performance requires a variety of DOL aptitudes, physical demands, and other factors.

The evaluator uses learning curve adjusted MTM standards to determine whether the evaluee has demonstrated the work sample's Worker Qualifications Profile. Unadjusted MTM standards are also given for single and multiple administrations of the work sample.

Procedure:The evaluee sits in front of the work sample board, and after a brief practice session, sorts 144 plastic chips into the correct slots. Each chip is identified in one of the following ways: color; color and letter; color and number; color,letter, and number. One administration of the exercise takes approximately 15 minutes. Two administrations are recommended.

Components: The work sample is a box, with a separate lid, composed of particle board and covered with blue plastic laminate. The top work surface is an inclined, hinged, board with eight columns and several rows of variously labeled slots. The bottom row of slots is the practice section. Beneath the hinged work surface there is a separate compartment subdivided into smaller compartments which correspond to each of the slots on the work surface. This section is also hinged so that it may be lifted to facilitate the recycling of the chips. At the front of the box is a tray for chip storage. The work sample comes with a manual and a pad of 100 scoring sheets.